Caitlin Clark‘s rookie year with the Indiana Fever turned the WNBA into a full-on phenomenon-record viewership, packed arenas, and a Rookie of the Year nod to boot. But ESPN analyst Monica McNutt‘s got folks buzzing with a bold take: Clark’s race might be a big piece of her sky-high popularity.
During a chat with BBC’s Katty Kay, McNutt didn’t shy away from the convo. “I think Caitlin represented-and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her, because it was not anything that she said or was truly based on her personality-but she was a white girl from the middle of America,” she said. “And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she ascribed to or not.” It’s a statement that’s got social media lighting up and fans picking sides.
No one’s denying Clark’s game-19.2 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists, and two triple-doubles in 2024 scream talent. She’s got the Fever’s 41 of 44 games slated for national TV in 2025, a stat that’s got jaws dropping. But McNutt’s pointing at something else too-how Clark’s Iowa roots and relatable vibe might’ve hooked a huge chunk of fans, especially little girls who mobbed arenas to see her play.
“The one thing that I cannot deny is the amount of little girls that were showing up to follow her,” she added, tying it to Clark’s Midwestern appeal. It’s a layered take and it’s stirring the pot big time.
Does being white in America matter?
Fans are in a battlefield over this: “She’s popular ’cause she’s unreal, not white!” one fan fired off, while another countered, “Monica’s just saying what’s real-race plays a part.” Clark’s not new to this chatter: her 2024 white privilege comments at Iowa nodded to the same vibe McNutt’s hitting.
Still, her All-WNBA First Team spot and fourth-place MVP finish say plenty-she’s no fluke. McNutt gave props too, calling her a “dynamic basketball player,” but it’s that race angle that’s got tongues wagging.
The WNBA’s never been hotter: attendance jumped 48% in 2024, and Clark’s Fever games averaged 1.19 million viewers on ESPN. Is it all her? McNutt’s not saying that-she flagged Angel Reese’s pull too-but Clark’s “middle of America” tag’s got folks wondering how much optics boost her shine.
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